Three million people are living with hepatitis C in the U.S., which has been a serious health threat for years. In light of recent outbreaks of hepatitis C around the country, many states are turning to a controversial practice to curb the transmission of deadly disease— needle exchange programs.

All sexually transmitted diseases can lead to serious health risks if left untreated, but typically the more worrisome STDs are caused by viruses. Not to downplay how dangerous STDs can be, but the “4 H’s” are the sexually transmitted diseases that typically warrant the most fear and dread.
The Four H’s are all viral STDs: Herpes, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Hepatitis C.

Condom use, getting tested for STDs regularly, and avoiding risky behavior are still the most important factors in remaining STD-free, but another step can be added to the list: PrEPing yourself for sexual activity. PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a breakthrough in preventing the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). With one medication (brand name: Truvada), people with a high risk of contracting HIV can help eliminate their chances of becoming infected. But what exactly is Truvada and what do we know about it?

Most sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs and STDs) tend to carry a high gross factor on their own, but some can literally make your skin crawl. There are a few STDs that are caused by parasites or parasitic bacteria: Trichomoniasis, scabies and pubic lice (crabs).

Charlatan. Con Man. Snake Oil Salesman. Quackery. Pseudoscience.
Many words have been used to describe fake cures for sickness and disease and the people who sell them. For as long as people have suffered from illness, savvy business people have found ways to make a buck off of people desperately searching for a cure. STDs are prime territory for snake oil salesmen because the embarrassment creates a robust market for miracle cures that can be purchased and used without a doctor's visit. Unfortunately, the cures that seem too good to be true are just that— too good to be true.

Viruses remain in the body for life, however some viruses go through dormant phases when they are not actively attacking the immune system, or the amount of the virus present in the body can be lowered until it is so minimal that it's considered “cleared” from the body.

Most people who engage in unprotected sex don't think they'll get an STD. Based on their impression of their sexual partner, cursory risk assessment of the activity, and their level of intoxication, most people assume they'd be able to tell if their partner had an STD before engaging in sexual activity. There is no real consensus about what signs would clue you in to whether or not someone has one of the burning, drippy, bumpy, or worse— silent but deadly— infections that can be spread by intimate contact. So, how can you tell if someone has an STD?

The term "transgender" (also known as trans or trans*) has been appearing in headlines more and more over the past few years, but many people don't understand what it means. In the Western world, gender has come to be known as a binary system with male and female as polar opposites, strictly defined by genitalia. In other gender-diverse cultures, there are three, four, or even five or more genders. Worldwide, the trans population is at great risk of contracting HIV. Let's explore the sources of that risk and identify ways to improve the numbers.